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“This stops now!” Gus said.
He stood at the end of the table, hands on his hips, glaring at each of the boys in turn. He was placing no more blame on his own son than hers. But that also meant he wasn’t siding with his son over hers. She could respect that.
That was what had been missing from the conversation—someone to take charge. Someone to keep everyone in line. Someone to bring everyone together and objectively stop the nonsense. Gus Knott could be that person, but so could she. Was it possible they could work together? Was it possible they could solve all of this without lawyers?
She was more than willing to try.
2
There was a truck parked in Gus Knott’s driveway when he returned from his Wednesday afternoon chores. He didn’t recognize it.
Gus didn’t like surprises.
He eyed the front porch and verified nobody was standing there. It was very rare that they had strangers show up, but it happened. Usually, it was someone trying to sell internet services.
As he pulled into the driveway, parking behind the large silver pickup, the drivers-side door opened. A leg emerged. He knew that leg. He’d seen that leg that morning.
Roberta Ludington hopped down, closing the door behind her. She still wore the black dress pants she’d had on at the diner, but she’d lost the stuffy blazer. The cream-colored blouse with the bow at the collarbone was plenty dressy enough without it.
Why on earth would Bobbie Ludington be on his property?
“Good afternoon!” he called out, slamming his truck door and starting toward her. “Long time, no see.”
That was a joke, of course. It was a rare day when he saw Bobbie Ludington twice. She’d kept her distance from him for most of the time she’d lived in Cupid Ridge—obviously a request from her late husband. Or maybe it was an order. He wasn’t sure how their particular marriage worked.
He, for one, had never told anyone in his family not to speak to the Ludington family. His dad had expressed total disdain for them but never demanded they not speak to them. But then, Gus was really just a kid himself when his father died of a sudden heart attack. His focus, as an only child, had been making sure his mom was well taken care of and that the family business continued.
“What brings you to my farm property today?” he asked.
“Can we go inside?”
He’d stopped right in front of her and was looking down at her beautiful face. Bobbie Ludington had always been one of the most stunning women in town, and that hadn’t changed. Although for the younger generations, her daughter Georgia might be the winner of that particular prize. From where he stood, though, nothing was more beautiful than Bobbie’s high cheekbones and sparkling blue eyes, especially when she got fired up about something.
“Sure,” he said, looking up at his house, which loomed large in front of them.
It was the house he’d raised his family in. The house he’d shared with Sharon, his childhood sweetheart. She died of cancer a few years ago. He’d loved that woman with all his heart and had been lost since she left him.
“Where are my manners?” he asked as his gaze dropped to her face. “Come on in.”
He gestured toward the front door. Normally, he’d pull into the garage and enter the house there, but her truck was blocking the way. Luckily, the pebbled sidewalk would lead them straight to the porch.
Bobbie walked in front of him, head held high, phone clutched in her right hand. She must have left her purse in her truck.
He smiled at the memory of her walking into the diner that morning, thumb hitched under her purse strap as she strode confidently toward the table. She’d never been more beautiful than at that moment.
Gus glanced back over his shoulder as he followed Bobbie up the steps to his porch. Just a quick check to make sure none of his kids’ vehicles were nearby. Three of his adult children worked out on the ranch all day, while two worked in their home offices. But there wasn’t a single vehicle in sight, not even in any of the driveways.
Bobbie stepped aside on the porch to give Gus full access to the front door. She probably thought he kept it locked. He didn’t. But he walked straight toward it, pulled open the storm door, and pushed the main door open. Stepping back, he held the storm door with his backside as he gestured for her to enter.
She gave him a slight smile as she passed him. And that was when something weird happened. His heart skipped a beat.
It was such a surprise, he stood there for a long moment, trying to process it. What was going on? Yes, he’d always found Bobbie Ludington attractive, but it had been a passing thought. It was like admiring a beautiful work of art. Feeling an actual romantic attraction to someone? Well, it had been a while.
Realizing he’d just ushered her into his house without following her in, he quickly gathered himself, slipping through the front door and into the outdated living room. It was rarely used anymore, but it was hardly the type of room he was proud to show off to visitors…like Bobbie.
“Hmm…” she said, turning to look at him. “Not at all what I expected.”
She was standing in the center of the room, looking around. Why was he so self-conscious about the tan-colored sofa with dark brown trim that had obviously seen better days? He’d never cared before, but he wished he’d taken some time to update the furnishings after his wife’s death.
